I recently was invited to promote my services at Oceans Edge Gym at Palm Cove, for the month of October. Here are some of the promotional material that I had fun creating. Each time I am given the opportunity to promote Seeds Of Health, I am also given the opportunity to revise exactly what it is that I do.

So I had some fun creating these little flyers. I feel it’s time I emphasise the SIMPLICITY, FUN & EMPOWERING approach I have during consultations & when working with clients be it individually or in a workshop or retreat setting.

In one of my happy places…outside amongst the mountains…

MY MISSION is to ensure you feel supported with your health, no matter what your concern or challenge is. I work with individuals to find balance and ease while creating long term changes to upgrade their health.

I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT:

· PLANT BASED NUTRITION

· SIMPLICITY

· LONG TERM CHANGES

· ACHIEVEABLE GOALS

· NOURISHMENT

· HERBS AS MEDICINE

· FINDING THE RIGHT MINDSET

I ENCOURAGE CLIENTS TO:

· Increase their joy + allow (permission) for their own unfolding - seeking their path of least resistance. Embracing their unique challenges along the way.

· Recognise the blocks which they are experiencing - more so mental blocks

So...I LOVE this product! The JuJu cup. It's easy, convenient, durable, economical AND good for the environment.

What is a JuJu Cup you ask? They are a menstrual cup. I've had a number of extra people purchasing these of late from my clinic, which makes me so damn happy. I think they are one of the best inventions for women! Theses cups save oodles of money with a one off purchase of $55. My last cup lasted 8 years! Think of all of the tampon purchases you would make in this time! They are made of silicon so completely non irritating and safe. They can take a little bit of time to get used to inserting and nailing the 'seal' however I always talk my clients through how to do this and ensure I am available for support if questions arise during the initial testing phase. I honestly wish every woman on this planet had one!

Here is a short little YouTube video that I made a while back about them...

There are 4 sizes as we are all unique! Pre 30yrs old, post 30yrs old, high cervix and low cervix (or short vaginal canal).

I'm a traveller at heart, an eco friendly seeker, a striving minimalist and a lover of working WITH nature. I'm thinking of starting a YouTube channel called "Travelling naturally with Nellie...", would you guys be keen on seeing more behind the scenes of how I like to weave health, adventure and travel together? Let me know in the comments below if so... I'm keen to hear your thoughts...

Wouldn’t it be delightful if things felt light and easy after we sat with our 'shit' for 10 days? Instead it forces us to look at ourselves and sometimes digs into some places we had forgotten about. Personally I feel the challenge began afterVipassana this time. The 3 weeks after finishing have been much harder than the experience itself - it has felt heavy. I felt a sense of failure - I felt defeated to think I'd done such intense inner work for 10 days to come out the other end more disappointed than when I went in. With not a lot of gems to share with my community - you guys!

Two days after my Vipassana experience I definitely began to feel the disconnect start, the internal overwhelm...the 'blur'. I became unable to articulate what I was feeling, had feelings of being lost - unable to communicate my thoughts. This caused me to turn to overeating, coffee daily and alcohol almost daily - in order to suppress emotions. Bonza combo, right?! Best choice ever?! No. The interesting thing about this was it was unsettling (to say the least) having my own high standards of health. However, with perspective this only lasted 3 weeks. Looking back now I realise I just needed to reintegrate all that had shifted internally - which I didn't give myself the personal space to do so. Here's what helped me to get through this chapter...

The first was to try to not beat myself up over the choices I was making around food and drink. Of course they were poor choices, when in repetition, and not going to aid clarity, but did help me cope. The more consciously I chose and trusted it was a passing phase the less of a struggle it was internally. I win the award I'm sure for beating myself up over what's an AMAZING choice and not so amazing. However, this time something different was experienced. I was aware that each choice - although not necessarily nourishing, was just that, a choice. Each day, each moment, I could choose again. And I did.

I also started doTerra supplements to boost my mind and body after about 2 weeks ...could have started this earlier. These are potent! Yell out if you want some.

I would have also started some NAC powder (which helps with addictions) however kept selling it to clients and didn't restock for myself. Part of me knew I had to go through this phase for empathy for my clients.

Ever so slowly I trusted my meditation practice would come back. One month on it has and it feels joyful, not forced. I think this is important, personally. Even if it starts with 5mins. Set a goal that is achievable.

I reached out to the knowledgable energy workers around me to assist this process, knowing I didn't have to do it alone. My kinesiologist, continuing my Spiral Dynamics process, chatting to my psychologist and friends - just trying to be in the unknown, without absolute resistance. Some may have chosen meditation, however I couldn't bring myself to do it. There was no joy in it.

Now, exactly one month after Vipassana I'm feeling myself - but it took just over 3 weeks for things to shift and for me to reconnect with myself. I felt incredibly vulnerable trying to climb my way back out and be the person I wanted to be, especially in a new relationship.

For the most part I felt the need to re-enter the world and not talk about my experience. I think this was only due to me not giving myself the required personal space I needed to ‘re-enter’. I hit the ground running in Sydney city and then landed back in Cairns to commitments and the shared space of a new relationship. Emphasising (to myself perhaps) the need to honour one’s own space and boundaries, with the benefit that it has for processing.

Interestingly, before heading in I questioned whether I ‘needed’ to sit another Vipassana - life was sweet before heading in. I simply wanted time to be in silence and reflect. But, I am always open to upgrading and challenging myself - hence Vipassana unfolded. After the experience I actually felt an element of trauma around the experience – I think due to the force and restriction that I felt woven through the Vipassana model this time. The last few years of health and business learnings have all come back to the same message of flow, allowance, letting go, joy, ease and anything that feels like it lights my soul on fire. Apart from the peace I found in the bush at times during Vipassana – staring at the gorgeous southern flora - there wasn’t a whole lot of joy and more importantly, individuality. On the flip side though I do feel the philosophy of impermanence and equanimity plus the simplicity of breath-focus has many merits both on and off the meditation cushion. But why the military like structure? Why the resistance to writing, reading, sunshine, breaks, sleep and joy? Perhaps with this awareness you can choose if this 10 day commitment is right for your journey, learnings and personality? My 2 Vipassana sits were completely contrasting. They are not necessarily easier each time. Speaking to other participants on the final day, this is not a lone observation.

To give you a visual: One of the girls I met on day 1 greeted me on Day 11 and said "Wow, you look like you've been hit by a truck! You were so much happier when you arrived." Haha! That's how it felt inside - I must be that transparent. To add to the emotional cleanse of Vipassana, I did a charcoal cleanse during the 10 days and also had my period during this time - cleansing on many different levels. I know things have and will continue to shift - all in the right direction, as I aim for growth, just with a few minor bumps in the road...

Reflecting on my experience I do feel it's strange that the room was not smudged with sage after each group meditation session. I feel this is important with 100 people meditating many hours a day, deeply processing. Some energy cleansing rituals of the group meditation room would be beneficial.

I feel grateful for the experience 4 weeks on, now having integrated it. Perhaps the lesson in all of this is giving ourselves time...allowing things to unfold in their own time? Whatever that looks like. Unique for every individual - knowing you/I are whole in the process. Everything is impermanent.

To wrap up I am glad I challenged myself and am grateful for the experience. The lessons and learnings continue to unfold. I am also aware though that perhaps I didn't need to throw myself into a deep growth experience - perhaps just being in the moment, sitting in gratitude and life is absolutely enough, for this moment in time?

How does this little reflection resonate for you with where you are with your life? Do you need to always be pushing yourself for the next upgrade, or could you be happy with where you are at present? Do you feel the need to force or are you able to allow a little more? Where could you attach a little less and observe with the knowing of anitcha (impermanence) and equanimity (neither right nor wrong)?

I'll be running Thursday night meditation sessions from a brand new health food store in Clifton Beach (Origin Natural Living), kicking off soon! Join me if you would like a supportive community to begin or continue your meditation practise in.

The hours were long, the rules were strict, the bush was gorgeous, the resistance was real, the feelings were raw.

Anitcha (impermanence) & Equanimity…2 words that have been imprinted in my memory and experience over the course of 10 quiet days in the Blue Mountains.

I’ve thought and thought and edited and thought to work out what would be useful to share… as my experience was personal. What is the purpose of sharing such a deep personal process? I’m unsure of the answer, however I do know that I have gained enormously throughout my health journey when reading others personal transformation experiences. Some I have wanted to replicate; some I have simply learnt from externally.

So here goes…I recently undertook a 10 day Vipassana meditation retreat in the Blue Mountains, NSW. It was challenging – I wanted to leave many times. It was my second ‘sit’. My first being 3 years ago. This experience was with a much larger group this time – both men and women (previously with only 35 women). Perhaps a greater challenge with more people (and their energy) around me? Perhaps a greater challenge than the first with what I was processing after the end and beginning of close relationships? Either way, the wannabe rebel inside me came out to play and I observed all kinds of interesting resistance during the 10 days.

I felt many things during the 10 days – bored, grateful, at peace, turbulent, rebellious, teary, happy and all the things in between.

Vipassana is a style of mediation that allows a complete inward reflection. One that is deep for 10 days. No talking, no eye contact, no reading, no writing, just you and your thoughts…your breath…your sensations. Or should I say – just me and my thoughts, breath and sensations. This is known as Noble Silence. Most of this I followed… apart from the book I snuck in…

Vipassana focuses on observing one’s breath to begin with and then moves on to scanning the body for sensations, once this initial breath technique is mastered or understood. It is taught that any sensations that arise must be looked at with equanimity and anitcha (impermanence). These two things encourage us to view our ‘sensations’ (positive or negative) with no charge. No judgement…knowing they will pass – they are impermanent. This experience over the course of 10 days deepens a trust and knowing that everything is impermanent. This practice is brilliant for releasing ‘hooks’ in the mind, depression, addictions as well as so many physical ailments as our emotions create dis-ease in our body.

After a few days of following the rules, I was searching for joy. I wanted out. I didn’t want to feel confined to the property, doing the same as 99 other people. I wanted to sit in the sun. I wanted to soften and sleep and rest as needed. I wanted a break from the endless hours of my chatty mind. At times, I questioned if I remembered how to meditate? Aside from the 4:30-6:30am morning meditation, my mind felt like it was on speed for the rest of the day. Never resting for a breath, to find space. I questioned if it was because I was sharing a meditation room with 99 other people (as I feel other’s energy easily)? Or if I was simply needing to be in the depths of this process as a way of transitioning through it? My thoughts became cyclic. I wanted some space from them. I wanted to go for a run. I wanted to throw my togs on and bathe in the sunshine. I wanted to walk to the beat of my own drum. Basically, I was resisting what I felt was a military like environment. Occasionally I found peace in my bedroom looking out to the bush - enjoying the bird life, southern flora and rays of sunlight.

The days would run as so… waking at 4am, followed by a mix of 3x 1 hour group sits, 3x 2 hour sits either in the main hall or my own shared room, breakfast and lunch thrown in there and an evening discourse and group meditation before lights out at 9:30pm most nights. As I said, I savoured the 2-hour meditation before the sun came up as my mind was most quiet. Feeling like I had forgotten how to meditate I became frustrated at times, laughed other times and sat with the inspiration during moments. Knowing that this was the perfect time to put into practice the knowing that everything is impermanent (anitcha) and needs to be observed with equanimity… Lol...I just went with it.

Knowing and trusting the process, having faith that transitions are not always smooth, enjoyable or easy… I didn’t escape the property lol. I knew there was a golden nugget of some shape or size at the other end…there always is after such deep processing. Surely? My largest golden nugget was that I found compassion and released anger for a significant chapter that had ended in my life. This came out of the blue one night at the end of an hour-long meditation – with the same cyclic thoughts that I felt would never end. This gave me a sense of understanding that the body is processing at such a deep level - recalibrating all the time and releasing when ready.

My favourite word of all time... LONGEVITY. I love everything about this word. The positive frame it shapes around ageing, the possibilities, the cultural discoveries, the joy, the connection, the ease, the daily habits, the self awareness - it all lights me up. So let me shine some light on how you can enhance your longevity.

Longevity simply means - a long duration of individual life.

I notice a lot of people have hang ups around the word ageing. There is fear attached to another birthday, another year. I don't feel the same way and I'm really proud of that. Each year brings more lessons, more connection, more discoveries, more opportunities. There is so much to discover and learn on this planet. Over the year I have become equipped with oodles of tools on how to support my body and mind, nourish my hormones and focus on the things that are important for healthy ageing. If I need to shift gears because I'm noticing changes in my body - I can. I want you to either develop or enhance your own personal awareness around longevity, leaning on me as a guide and support.

The above pic was taken recently on day 4 of the Seeds Of Health fasting retreat at Mossman Gorge. We had been fasting for 3 full days and I felt amazing. My body always slips into a place of ease when fasting - less work to do and therefore more time for regeneration and repair (the next fasting retreat is September 12-16th, 2018 so keep your eyes peeled!)

Here are some hot tips to assist you with your LONGEVITY...

Fast! If fasting for a day or more scares you then try intermittent fasting - Have an early dinner then hydrate and skip breakfast, being prepared to munch of something wholesome and packed with nutrition at brunch/lunch. Fasting repairs your DNA - can you believe that?! Longer fasts give you faster results - this September (12-16th) there is another fully supported fasting retreat coming up! Or reach out for guidance prior to that, to fast at home.

Hydrate. Good quality water is a must here. If you are hydrating yet filling your system with chlorinated and fluoridated water then it's creating extra work for your body. Find some spring water in your area or purchase a Zazen water filter - I personally love mine! Have used it for 3.5 years now.

Support stress within your body. Exercise is a great way to counteract and release stress (move your body in a way you love...me personally - hiking, yoga & swimming). Herbs are another great way to support your body through times of stress. Superfeast herbs are something I use daily to tonify and support my system, in hot drinks or smoothies, however through a Naturopath consultation I can refine the exact ones that you need in a variety of forms. An iridology assessment (picture of your iris) assists me with this understanding. A liver cleanse blend could be the place to start?! Floating is another beautiful way to surrender & give back to yourself when feeling stressed. If you are a first time user remember to make the most of my coupon code! Or for your own at home remedy - meditate! Stress ageing the body faster than anything else. Meditation is a free, at-your-fingertips tool that can reverse this ageing and combat your stress. Deepak is holding another FREE 21 day mediation challenge on March 19th, so make sure you sign up!

Eat plants! Upping your plants - VEGETABLES AND FRUITS - definitely enhances longevity. Adding enzymes, nutrition, vitamins, minerals, life force, hydration, trace minerals, antioxidants, etc to your system to repair your cells. My social media channels hopefully provide inspiration for you here or my blog has recipes on it. During a Naturopathic consultation the recipes, links & inspiration are more specific for you as an individual.

Tibetan Rites - these 5 exercises are known as the Fountain Of Youth. I wrote a blog post about them a few years back. The perfect tune up for your endocrine system each day.

Reducing and eliminating chemicals in your lifestyle. This is an enormous topic which I am super passionate about so perhaps another blog post needs to be created? I have been chipping away at this in my own lifestyle for years. Constantly upgrading my choices and switching to cleaner options for my body and the Earth. For now I'll just list some of the alternatives I can support you with - chemical free menstrual cups and pads, chemical free beauty, perfume and cleaning products. There is a whole chapter about Conscious Living (Chemical free living) in my Nurturing 9 ebook which you can download via my shop or on Amazon for your kindle. Comment below or shoot me an email if you are wanting personalised support around this change to a chemical free lifestyle. My Kitchen Detox packages are a great wholistic way to kick this change off! Otherwise, a gathering with other women to discuss any of these topics is a beautiful way to spend the arvo - I love bringing people together to enhance their wellness.

Having others to share JOY with or lean on is ridiculously underestimated. COMMUNITY is where it's at. Coming together to share, laugh, cry, talk, inspire and be with is missing in our fast paced, online world. Don't forget your neighbours. The Blue Zones of the world - where the centenarians - thrive are fully aware of this concept. I find the Blue Zones inspiring! It's not all about how many carrots you eat, okay?!

Back in 1997 (I was 14yrs old – Grade 9 at school) I did the liver cleanse diet. This was to help my skin - as I struggled with acne. I did it with my mum for support – cutting out meat, dairy, wheat, sugar, etc. It didn’t phase me at the time, which I look back & think is laughable as my friends ate chocolate around me & I didn't flinch. Mum helped a lot with food prep. She is creative so the food was interesting. I do remember a lot of cauliflower...

This year I have co-facilitated 2 online juice fasts which allows you to feel supported while fasting but in the comfort of your own home.

Throughout my teens I tried a lot of things for my acne so was used to cutting out things. When I had to say goodbye to cheese I remember it being a very devastating day! My salad sandwiches no longer had flavour (or so I thought at the time...). I have learnt so much since then about awesome ways to upgrade them and add creaminess... hommus, avocado, pesto, beetroot dip, etc.

In 2010 in my final year of studying Naturopathy I remember doing a 3 day water fast. I was paralysed in bed. It was horrible! I didn't prep properly – I don’t even know what program if any I was following? I know in hindsight I wasn’t drinking enough water. I was home alone & mentally had to talk my mind into moving my limbs. It was so weird and scary. I also remember choosing to climb Mt Warning on the last day of my cleanse. Hmmm… not so smart?! So I got scared about having energy for the hike and broke my fast with something that was being cooked for dinner that night which had dairy and wheat in it (homemade pizza from memory), classic unprepared fast exit. Haha! I learnt so much from this fast. I was juicing a lot at this time - often daily. This daily routine didn't help my fast as I now know I was so unprepared physically, mentally, emotionally & understand the depth of preparation required for a smooth & easier fast.

In 2011 I was living in Perth & went to one of Tyler Tolman's weekend courses called Heal Thyself Express. Following those 2 days I kicked off a 30 day cleanse. It started with a 4 day colon cleanse and for the remaining days I ate 1 bag of pulse (mixture of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, etc) & organic apples if need be. I got really tired of the sweetness and just wanted green leaves. I noticed a lot during this time in relation to my hunger, the season I chose to fast (winter in Perth or just prior to), how socially ‘awkward’ it was for others - I wasn’t phased when joining people for dinner or at the staffroom table. I found the social aspect fascinating! I was there for the company but there was so much stigma (& curiousity understandably) attached to eating less or better still cleansing or fasting. This is also where my fascination of water consumption kicked in & how different I felt when really well hydrated. I was always a pretty good water drinker but drinking a lot (1 litre) first upon waking was fascinating to daily over a month. It is now a comfortable habit. I began to notice how well I felt once hydrated and how my hunger decreased. FYI: Hunger is often confused for dehydration.

With Don & Tyler Tolman in Bali working at their 7 day juice fast

2012 I attended one of Tyler’s 7 day juice fasts in Bali. I was looking for something to complement my Naturopathy that wasn’t supplement based and discovered his fast. The 7 day fast ended up being 2 days juice and 7 days water. My eczema was giving me grief at the time and the juices made it itchy, so I dived in as the environment was supportive. Holy moly! Wowza. I loved the enemas and began to understand physically, mentally and emotionally how they shifted things at another level. I released something that resembled black tar on day 4 after stopping juices and transitioning to water. Oh my the smell! It was fascinating. I remember feeling so damn happy and also gained further understanding of the body and what it can store. During this fast I gained more understanding of emotions being integrated, episodes of lethargy vs heaps of energy, dizzy spells, euphoria, etc and how to handle them confidently. I continued the water on the plane trip back to Cairns and for another couple of days in Cairns, until my house mates started cooking and I caved with coconut water & fruit. Pretty darn awesome post fast transition (exit) this time because I was mentally & physically prepared due to the education around breaking a fast. Community support filled so many of my senses while not eating along with sunshine and different daily practices. I understood the potency of support, community & 'feeding' the body in other ways. It's not just about stopping eating for those newbies out there! This is why I feel so passionate to share more on fasting and have created this event next year!

In 2012 I went back to the same 7 day fasting retreat in Bali as a volunteer and worked behind the scenes with 28 people juice fasting while doing adventure activities (to keep their minds busy) eg. whitewater rafting, hiking, etc. This was amazing to be apart of the team and learn more!

2014 I did a 21 day retreat on the Central Coast of NSW which integrated 18 days juicing. Again I did 3 days juice and the rest water because I wanted to clear my eczema – it would come and go over the years, at times really bad outbreaks and then leave for years. Through exploring fasting & understanding my body more I now understand the triggers causing it & also what has needed to be released through fasting and cleansing to allow my body to repair the eczema long term. The 18 days juicing was combined with Vipassana Meditation & Rebirthing (a breathing technique to release emotions). Full on and all complementary to each other - a whole body overhaul. I learnt more about my body and mind on this fast. Lots of emotional triggers and also the fastest clearing of a coldsore ever while fasting on water & actioning a salt flush.

4 years into my business, in 2015, I was asked to support Tyler as his Naturopath at his 30 day Heal Thy Self program in Bali. This was again fascinating to watch 16 people go deep on a juice fast (juices for a few days of preparation followed by 18 days on water). So many emotions and layers were released and processed. It was incredible to be observe and support. I really began to understand iridology from a completely different angle. Became more deeply fascinated by the metaphysics of disease and really felt in awe of what it takes to run a retreat. Bringing together so many practitioners, timetables, communication, juice/food prep, music, etc it’s all done with ease when the prep work is done – so much unseen work behind the scenes. All while keeping the mood high and emotions supported.

In the last 4 years I have done a bunch of different 3, 5 & 7 day fasts always trying something different to discover the nurture balance. Intermittent fasting has been an easy & accessible way of fasting day to day & giving my digestive system a break. An aspect of fasting I am really intrigued by as a woman. I feel we need more yin as women. Herbal teas, softness, community, etc. I feel so damn passionate about providing supportive fasts that encompass and really support the emotional needs while sticking to guidelines to get results. I simply don't believe in measuring the in-goings (juice/water) and out-goings (poo/gallstones/parasites) for results. I could talk for days about my love and fascination of fasting - oh wait I am next February!

I am excited to let you know about a supported fast I have coming up in February next year. A fully supported 4 day fast that really emphasises the pre and post aspect of fasting, while really immersing yourself in all of the beneficial aspects of a successful fast - fun, movement (yoga & qi gong), community, sunshine, hydration, education & more, with 2 qualified professionals. Check out this amazing opportunity here!

We have a special on for 2 more days to save $100! Only selected accommodation remaining. Please reach out for a 15min free consultation to answer any of your health concerns or questions around the retreat! They are available for next week only - bookings essential! Call me to book your spot. Come the start of 2018, you will be grateful you have put aside some time to get back on track after the festivities of Christmas & the New Year.

I am offering 15minute free consultations next week to answer any health concerns and questions around the retreat. Bookings essentials! Hit comment to reach out and book your spot or call me on 0438733103. I'd love to help you on your health journey.

What you may not know about tap water is that it has chlorine in it BUT more importantly, chlorine kills your gut flora! When things diminish your gut flora, they also directly impacts your immune system. This in turn affects your mood, your bowel habits and your energy levels to name just a few. So! With that in mind, you now prefer to be drinking filtered water?

Zazen is a brand of water filter that I adore and here are my reasons why. I personally own this filter and love it as there are 10 steps to the filtration process. Not to mention the flavour of the water tastes delicious! I have had plenty of clients come to me saying how much they love the flavour of this pure water once they take the step to owning one.

The emphasis with these amazing water filters is that not only do they produce clean drinking water, but they also ALKALISE the water. We live in a very acidic world where our daily choices and our stress levels can create more acidity in our bodies. So, to be drinking alkaline water every day is going to continue to provide optimal health for our bodies! A chance to heal, repair and thrive!

Phone or email me (scroll to the bottom) to order yours today! Free postage and delivery to your door within 3-5 working days. Could it be any easier? This amazing company also provides fabulous shower filters so that you are not breathing in chlorine while showering daily.

Your gut, hormones and brain will thank you for the endless benefits this quality water provides to your body.

The time prior to conception fascinates me! It can be a challenging time. A time of apprehension, particularly for those with a perfectionist streak! (My hand is up!). Am I doing everything I can? Is this the right detox? Should I be...A, B or C?!! Arghhh!

I want to take the pressure off and give you one easy thing you can start doing. One thing that will ADD nourishment to your body, tone your organs, nourish your stressed out nervous system, clear your skin up, support your liver and more. One thing I strongly believe in is ADDing goodness in, not taking away. By adding nutrition and nourishment we end up crowding out those things that don't serve our body.

Herbs are one way of adding nourishment to our bodies and by placing them in food (hot drinks, smoothies, dinner, sprinkled on breakfast), we are also adding nutrition at the same time. It is as easy way to tone, detox, cleanse and support out body. Powdered herbs are a great way of adding some supportive herbs in. By keeping your body toned and your organs in tip top shape our body is easily able to stay on top of the day to day stressors, without getting too far behind, then feeling like "oh my gosh I think I need to go on a one week retreat in Thailand to give back to my body!". Don't get me wrong, sometimes these tunes up are needed - but we can save those for another discussion.

I have found just the perfect herbal company to allow us both to do this! One that I wholly trust and love their range *Superfeast*. I have been testing these for you everyday for the last 6 months. I am loving them.

Some herbs that I use daily are: Reishi, He She Wu, Chaga, Beauty Blend, Mason's Mushrooms & I'm yet to crack open the Lion's Mane. I generally pick 2 from my selection. This morning I added Reishi & Mason's Mushrooms to my plunger coffee. Yesterday I added the same to my smoothie as that is what I'm loving at the moment! Here is a run down of what these beautiful herbs can do for your body:

Reishi: Such a beautiful herb. Reishi brings peace to the body, mind and spirit. It is known as the herb of immortality...perfect for longevity. It improves liver detox, better immune function and mental clarity. By adding it to your food you are allowing your body to receive more. It is an adaptogenic herb that allows your body to adapt to changes and support the side effects of stress (depressed immune system, fatigue, hormone imbalances, sleep issues and digestive issues to name a handful). Sleep quality is of high importance when preparing to create a baby - it is the time when our body regenerates and recalibrates. Hormonally, this amazing herb helps to convert excess testosterone (which is a problem in conditions like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome).

He She Wu: This guy is perfect for supporting your adrenals. It is a tonic herb, meaning it tones organs in the body and therefore has life extending capacity. If you are a coffee drinker at the moment, consider adding a teaspoon to your coffee, so that you are not draining your adrenals while enjoying your coffee. By adding herbs your coffee becomes an elixir. Who wants to wake up and brew an elixir each morning?! ...ME! If you wake tired, you may also decide to better yet, ditch the coffee and brew a He She Wu cuppa with hot water and honey.

Chaga: Such a powerful antioxidant! Chaga is grown on Birch trees. It is also an adaptogenic herb and assists the body's natural capacity to resist stress. Wow! Who doesn't want that?! We've all got a lot or a little stress in our lives, right? It's damaging. So use this support tool! Chaga is also great for combating viruses and free radicals (damaging our cells and DNA). You may choose to simply add 1 tsp to water, steep for 5mins, then add some honey and enjoy. I love to add a dash of CocoQuench to mine :)

Beauty Blend: This baby is a detox blend. When we support our liver and detoxification organs we improve our skin. From the inside out. With a host of antioxidants, minerals and vitamin C this combination contains goji berry, longan berry, schizandra and micro-ground pearl powder. Wow! Beautiful alright. Your cells, organs, skin and liver will all be saying THANK YOU.

Mason's Mushrooms: This is a specialty blend of mushrooms made by the owner of Superfeast, Mason Taylor. These mushrooms boost your immune system, balance your hormone, strengthen your body to stress, while nourishing your nervous system. The blend contains: Chaga, Reishi, Maitake, Shiitake, Lion's Mane, Agaricus Blazei, Poria and Cordyceps. I have found this mix beautiful to add to my 100% banana ice cream with beetroot powder. What a pimped up powerhouse snack it is! Any herb that helps balance your hormones (generally through liver support) is wanted, as it makes it easier to track your cycle and know when you are ovulating for conception.

Mason's Mushroom Ice cream... Mmmmm

Lion's Mane: This is our brain support herb! It is also a tonic herb and nourishes your nervous system. Perfect if you are one of those anxious types. The effect on the brain from this herb, helps to repair and reverse any neurodegenerative disease.

HOW TO ENJOY THESE HERBS?

1. You can place 1 tsp in a mug with boiling water, let it steep for 5mins, then add a dash of dairy-free mylk and a bit of honey. You may choose to mix 2 herbs together?! Another elixir you may choose to create is a delicious hot cacao drink/hot chocolate or adding them to your coffee. Sometimes I also just let my brew steep and cool - drinking it cold or even iced. I loved the bitterness.

2. You can add 1tsp to your smoothie or home made 100% blended banana/berry/mango ice cream?!

3. There is nothing stopping you from sprinkling these on your chia pudding or quinoa porridge for breakfast or over your dinner of a night.

One thing you can do to help me out is use this affiliate link when ordering your Superfeast herbs. In return I will continue to provide information about these herbs via my Facebook or Instagram pages with recipe ideas and creations. I am also here to answer any of your questions regarding your health. Much gratitude. Happy herb shopping! Let's get our bodies supported and in alignment for creating new life :)

3 months ago today, on January 7th, I had a motorbike accident, while learning to ride a dirt bike in the back cane paddock. It was a hot afternoon so I decided to wear shorts (worst idea ever!). Anyway, as I was progressing well with my new skills I decided to give it a go changing gears. This is where it all went wrong. 30minutes later & I was at the emergency department of the hospital with what I thought wasn't too bad a situation.

However, it was only last Monday (11 weeks later) that I got my FINAL silver Acticoat (best invention ever!) dressing off!!! It's been 12 weeks since my accident & my final burn has healed over completely! What an interesting process it has been to heal my burns coupled with healing my heart from heart break - which i know plays on the immune system. I am now in the phase of treating my scars with aloe vera & a cream I've made up with zinc, lavender essential oil, calendula & an amazing oil called aesculapius containing silica, vitamin E & vitamin A.I am also keeping up with lots of internal support (immune boosting herbs & gut support). I was super excited about my first SWIM🏊‍♀️ which happened to be at Stoney's & then followed by an ocean dip in Sydney visiting family. Oh bliss!!! I'm a fish, so staying out of the water has been the least of my worries, but a challenge. I'm yet to get back into swimming at the local Tobruk pool. I didn't want the chlorine to affect my healing & dry everything out - so this extra week has been needed.

The pictures above show the day of my first solo motorbike ride, then some of the phases of my top and bottom leg, with the final pic (bottom right) showing my leg on Monday when the final dressing came off. It has been so interesting to watch the different phases. One of those phases being infection sadly - which i learnt deep burns are so susceptible to, particularly in the humidity of Cairns summers. Also getting the right treatment from the get go with Acticoat which I wasn't guided towards by the nurse I was seeing at the time, until I got a second opinion on the deepest burn at week 4. The susceptibility to infection with a deep burn is a no brainer really, but until going through it & learning the different phases of a burn i really thought my body could handle it. Throw in all the factors & mix it around with something called 'life' & I've learnt I need to surrender, trust the process & just put one foot in front of the other & continue learning.

One of the most interesting parts of my accident was being open to the lessons for emotional and spiritual growth. Accidents are often related to built up anger. I've had a lot to reflect on and feel that I have popped out the other side with more lessons than one (wear long pants on motorbikes!)... Mishaps can teach us so much when we are open to seeing the lesson under it. I know I'm keeping things quite vague with my 'lessons' but I'm leaving that for me to ponder on and dive deep in to. I'm sure you can use the reflection for your own journey?

I created a few collages of my mapped journey - I found it fascinating to watch the changes of my wounds.

Some of the ridges that were forming were concerning me, however with the help of Jaeme Zwart at Trinity Breast & Plastic Surgery, a very caring friend, I was guided in the right direction and also given a couple of treatments of silver nitrate to reduce the raised scar tissue & allow the wound the heal smoother and faster.

Please feel free to ask any questions about the process - as I myself have found it fascinating!

Valentine's Day is 3 days away! Whether or not you choose to celebrate it, it is nice to know what herbs and recipes can be used to not only enhance libido but also tone your menstrual cycle, improve fertility, calm your nervous system & more. But not only supportive for the female system. Perfect for males also!

Nicole from Heavenly Cacao and I teamed up to create something doubly delicious for you!

Below are 2 recipes for you to create & enjoy with 5 chosen aphrodisiac ingredients. Their benefits are outlined below:

BANANA - rich in vitamin B’s & potassium which are needed for sexual hormone production. These nutrients are also key to muscle strength.

Who else is excited for what 2017 will bring us? What’s your New Year’s resolution?

If having a baby is featured on your plans for 2017, I’d like to share some tips and advice with you. Whether you’ve only just started trying or whether you’ve been trying for some time, there is sure to be something for everybody.

First advice is to let go of any expectations.

Planning before conception is unnecessary, there can be a tendency to want to control and plan all the details, like what month you’d like your child to be born in, or when you’ll start to buy their first essential baby equipment, these thought processes has your logical brain (the left hemisphere) kicking in and taking over, when really the subtler instinct of the right brain is required. Stay positive but detached from any outcomes. It can be fun to use visualisation techniques during your fertile period, imagining seeing the little sperm joining with your egg, travelling along the fallopian tubes and finding a cushy home to implant in the uterus are great, but just know that it will happen when the time is right.

Second advice is to be healthy. Rather than focusing on how you can have a baby, focus on how you can be as fit and healthy as you possibly can. Look after yourself, enjoy nutritious wholesome foods, and above all relax.

Let’s not forget sex. It’s pretty important when it comes to conceiving and I know that’s a fairly obvious statement. But just like my first advice of relaxing and enjoying yourself, sex doesn’t need to become a chore. There’s a tendency to feel pressured around the time you should be ovulating to have sex as often as possible. Rather than having sex every day over 4-5 days, then no sex or irregular sex during your infertile period. It is helpful to continue to listen to your own bodily desires. Having regular sex helps improve sperm quality, and a good rule of thumb in conceiving is having sex every 3 days throughout your entire cycle. Take the opportunity, as it certainly doesn’t hurt to plan an extra romantic evening around the day you’re likely to be ovulating.

Supplements to support fertility

Preparing your body for pregnancy is important. A great way to do that is to incorporate a 2 week detox cleanse two-three months before you start trying. Ask Janelle how she can support you through this process. Herbs are a great way to support the organs of elimination, ensuring your body gets a thorough flush. The process should also include nutrients to support the liver, as it is a key organ in detoxification as well as hormonal balance.

Other supplements to consider include a high quality pre-natal supplement that provide the key nutrients, iodine, selenium, zinc and inositol to support thyroid health a key player in optimal fertility. It should also include activated B vitamins especially folate and B12.

A healthy pregnancy and baby begins with the health of the ova and sperm. The newly conceived embryo in the early stages relies on the health of the ova and sperm to ensure it divides properly, so that implantation and a healthy pregnancy can occur. Supplementing with Coenzyme Q10, particularly its active form Ubiquinol, has shown in studies to both improve egg and sperm quality and increase fertilisation rates. Coq10 mostly resides within the cell membranes of the mitochondria – the power house of the cell and is a powerful antioxidant. Researchers believe supplementing with Coq10 helps restore energy to the cells, whilst also inhibiting DNA oxidation and protecting the genetic code.

Herbal tinctures can also be created to support reproductive health, both as tonics for the reproductive organs and by providing the libido with a healthy boost. Ask Janelle about her Aphrodisiac blend that can help support your fertility.

Bush Flower Essence – Women’s Essence blend. She Oak and Flannel Flower help with any subconscious blockages that can prevent conception.

Essential Oils are also great to help with fertility. doTERRA Balance Blend and Wild Orange in your diffuser to help with emotional balancing and help calmany anxieties and fears around your ability to conceive. doTERRA’s Clary Calm is a great product to be applied daily to help support women’s monthly menstrual cycles. It contains 11 essential oils to support women on their fertility journey, key essential oils includingClary sage and Geranium as uterine and ovarian tonics, Fennel Seeds to help regulate hormones and lavender to help relax the uterus.

The festive season is upon us, and we all like to give ourselves permission to relax a little bit more, and maybe even enjoy something from the ‘naughty’ list, after all it is the perfect time of year to do this. The question is then - how do we enjoy the holiday spirt, without feeling guilty afterwards. A couple of simple little tricks can be the key.

First tip:- Plan in advance. Start thinking now how you can be friendly to your liver and instead of having every drink that is offered to you on the day– plan to have some ingredients ready on the day to make some festive mocktails – everyone would like to join in then and nobody feels like they are missing out. This can be done with your sweet treats also. Make some miniature energy balls and make them into little snow men – they’ll be sure to be the most popular treat of the day. A savoury option is perfect too! Pinterest is fabulous for ideas!

Rumball snowman

Second tip:- In the days leading up to Christmas be really conscious of your food choices, being a little bit naughty on Christmas, means you need to be extra good leading up to it. Even if that means for only 2 or 3 days in the week leading up – give back to your body on those days. Make some extra green smoothies and/or take an extra long walk, or go for that jog you’ve been meaning to go on. Then of course there is New Years – so again plan for 2 or 3 days where you are going to be really good leading up to it.

Third tip, for good luck:- Think about your motivator. Are you going to be extra mindful over Christmas for yourself and reap the benefits of your body loving you back, or maybe you have a loved one that you want to be there that much more for, who can motivate you. Or even planning a week’s detox in the New Year, which will set you up beautifully for the coming adventures of the New Year.

The most important thing is to enjoy, relax and be mindful, after all laughter and fun, really is our best medicine.

I couldn't agree more about the laughter Pettina! I would also love to add one tip that I feel will be super useful during the festive season is to not eat your last meal too late! If you have a HUGE Christmas feast, give your body a break in the evening and drink water or fast the following morning until 11am and just drink water and herbal tea. You'll have a great evacuation (which makes anyone feel amazing!) as your body would have had a rest and time to repair.

By Janelle.

Janelle Twine, naturopath, herbalist, female wellbeing specialist. Janelle developed her practical philosophy for health via extensive travel and training. Having spent many years immersing herself in different cultures; from living amongst native Indian’s in Canada, to studying with Ayurvedic doctors in India, as well as observing traditional farming practices in Papua New Guinea and at high altitude in Nepal. Janelle understands the simplest path to supporting women to best health. With a deep connection to people, indigenous cultures and the body’s innate healing systems, Seeds Of Health – empowered daily choices – endeavours to grow a community of strong and connected individuals.

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Seeds of Health

Janelle Twine is an expert in naturopathy, nutritional medicine, western herbal medicine and education. She will support and guide you in your journey to your most vibrant health possible!

Janelle’s philosophy of health has grown with nature and nurture. Her first awareness was that of her mum’s own journey with diets, cleanses and other health modalities - all in the pursuit of vitality and longevity. All in all a success, avoiding her and her children any major health crisis - but overall very confusing. And so the seed was planted to simplify the formula for healthful living.

Janelle developed her practical philosophy for health via travel and education. Having spent a considerable amount of time immersing herself in different cultures; from living with Cree Indian’s in Canada, to learning from Ayurvedic doctors in India, as well as farming riverside in Papua New Guinea and at high altitude in Nepal. All in all you can trust that Janelle has done the miles to resolve the universal health myths and know the simplest path to your best health.

Janelle compliments this experience with education. Her studies see her specialise in naturopathy (Naturopath Adv.Dip), nutritional medicine (Nutritional Medicine Adv. Dip), western herbal medicine (Western Herbal Medicine Adv. Dip) and education (B.Ed). As a natural educator Janelle will empower you with the seeds of knowledge to know what is best for your body in your time; inspire you to grow your own food where possible; enabling you to nourish your body with a diet full of nutritious plants and seeds.